So You Want A Miniature Pinscher?

If you want a small dog, but love the sleek, muscular appearance of the Doberman Pinscher, you may want to consider a Miniature Pinscher. These dogs are very similar in appearance to Dobermans, but are almost 100 pounds lighter. And, like a Doberman, a Min Pin can make a good watchdog, despite its small size.

Dobermans Shirttail Relative

The Miniature Pinscher may look like a miniature derivative of the mighty Doberman, but these dogs were developed long before the Doberman. The Miniature Pinscher was the result of breeding the German Pinscher to a smaller breed.

The American Kennel Club classifies the Miniature Pinscher as a part of the Toy Group, but these dogs are not to be confused with cute little lapdogs. The Miniature Pinscher was bred to be a tough, aggressive ratter.

Miniature Pinschers have a compact, muscular frame that weighs in at 8 to 10 pounds, and stands 10 to 12 inches high. Their intelligent eyes are so dark brown that they look black. The Min Pin's short coat can be red, stag red, black-and-rust, or chocolate-and-rust. This breed's tails are docked. In addition, some people crop their Miniature Pinscher's ears, but this is not necessary. Most of these dogs develop pricked ears as they mature.

Quicker Than The Eye

The high energy Miniature Pinscher does well in apartment settings, as long as you are willing to take him for a long walk once a day. Of course, the Min Pin also enjoys the freedom of a fenced yard. These dogs have a tendency to roam and they will search for ways to escape, so be sure your yard has a securely fenced exercise area. If you have a yard, buy an exercise pen with a roof. The dog can leap out of the pen in a blink of an eye if it is not roofed.

These tiny dogs are incredibly quick. Never take your Min Pin outside without a leash on. If you live in an area with busy streets, your dog's escape could prove fatal, since the Miniature Pinscher is too small to be seen easily from a moving car.

Loyal, But Not To Small Children

Miniature Pinschers are very loyal dogs, and are deeply devoted to their owners, but that loyalty does not always extend to small children. This breed has a tendency to be nippy with babies and toddlers. If you have family members with children who visit frequently, you may want to crate your dog while your guests are there to avoid problems.

Also, some of these dogs are quite high strung and will become aggressive toward adults, especially mail carriers and deliverymen.

Needs A Firm Hand

While Miniature Pinschers are small, most of them are a bit stubborn and hard to control. Your puppy will need to attend obedience classes and you should be careful to follow up on every command. The Min Pin can be a temperamental tyrant when overly accommodated -- spoiling is not recommended.

These dogs enjoy agility training, and attending competitions gives them a chance to perform. The Min Pin was bred to work, and takes vermin seriously. If a mouse gets into your house, your dog will not rest until it is caught.

Doggie Diet Required

Miniature Pinschers can have several serious health problems, such as heart conditions, thyroid conditions, and epilepsy. These dogs are also prone to hip dysplasia, which is a rare thing in small breeds.

Being small dogs, Miniature Pinschers do not consume huge quantities of food, but they do have a tendency to be gluttonous. You may need to switch to a food that controls weight gain if you notice your sleek Miniature Pinscher starting to resemble a blowfish with legs. Min Pins require little grooming, but they do have problems with overgrown nails. Be sure to trim your dog's nails frequently.

Yours Truly

One owner described the Min Pin personality thus: the more a crowd laughs at his antics, the more he will misbehave. So dont opt for this breed unless you have a sense of humor and can take a joke. The Miniature Pinscher is not for everyone, but if you want a dog who is completely loyal to you, you may want to consider this breed.

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